Explore difficult questions posed to the IDF and other armies.
"The purpose of war within Judaism is to restore peace.” Judaism honors life and will go to great lengths to defend it. But sometimes, honoring life, means going to war. Check out some of these examples.
Offensive vs. Defensive moves by Israel. Which do you support? Or both?
Review the following military events in Israeli history and argue: Was this war vital to Israel's existence? Was it a milchemet reshut (optional) or milchemet mitzvah (obligatory - one of the seven nations and/or self-defense)? To review...
According to Rambam, war is classified as either a milhemet mitsvah (obligatory war) or a milhemet reshut (permissible or voluntary war).[iii] A milhemet mitsvah is a war that the king is allowed to wage because God has commanded him to do so, such as war against Amalek or the seven Canaanite nations, or a war in which other nations attacked Benei Yisra’el. A milhemet reshut is a war that the king starts, with the approval of beit din, in order to widen the borders ofErets Yisra’el or to increase his own honor. Not included in either of these two categories, however, is a war of pre-emptive self-defense, a war that Israel may start in order to prevent a forthcoming attack by an opposing nation. According to Jewish tradition, states R. Michael Broyde, this type of war “is not considered to be war,” but is simply an extension of the law allowing self-defense against arodef (pursuer), and therefore does not need to be explicitly mentioned.[iv]However, wars that are not “based on self-defense needs,” and do not fall under the other permitted categories, are illegal in Jewish law, such that any killings that would take place during such wars would be considered murder. Penina Wein, Kol Hamevaser
The concept of war is largely based upon the concept of רודף, as written:
“You shall not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor” (Leviticus 19:16), which also refers to 'stopping an assailant from committing murder (Sanhedrin73a).' and “If one comes to slay you, kill him first” (Sanhedrin 72a).
1. Osirak, Operation Opera: and here: Mack
The LAMED HEH CONVOY: The fate of the Lamed Heh is known today only due to the testimony of Uri Gavish, one of the three who was sent back. The Lamed Heh left Hartuv much later than they had planned, and as a result, when dawn broke they were still an hour away from Narkis and his men. Subsequent generations of Israelis were raised on the story that the soldiers encountered an Arab shepherd, not far from Tzurif. They chose not to kill him, and the shepherd hurried off to warn other Arabs. A large crowd gathered, and a day-long battle ensued. The last Haganah commando was killed at approximately 4:30 p.m. The story has been used to demonstrate the highly moral nature of the Jewish fighters -- and alternatively, the folly of being too merciful with enemy civilians. The trail of the Lamed Heh The story of Gush Etzion; its massacre and its renewal. Walk the trail of the Lamed Heh with Oren Mas, read the controversy surrounding the story with the nephew of the Lamed Heh commander, Danny Mas.
Song dedicated to the memories of the Lamed Heh Convoy:
Welcome to Jewish Military Ethics:
Explore difficult questions posed to the IDF and other armies.
"The purpose of war within Judaism is to restore peace.” Judaism honors life and will go to great lengths to defend it. But sometimes, honoring life, means going to war. Check out some of these examples.
Offensive vs. Defensive moves by Israel. Which do you support? Or both?
Review the following military events in Israeli history and argue: Was this war vital to Israel's existence? Was it a milchemet reshut (optional) or milchemet mitzvah (obligatory - one of the seven nations and/or self-defense)? To review...
According to Rambam, war is classified as either a milhemet mitsvah (obligatory war) or a milhemet reshut (permissible or voluntary war).[iii] A milhemet mitsvah is a war that the king is allowed to wage because God has commanded him to do so, such as war against Amalek or the seven Canaanite nations, or a war in which other nations attacked Benei Yisra’el. A milhemet reshut is a war that the king starts, with the approval of beit din, in order to widen the borders ofErets Yisra’el or to increase his own honor. Not included in either of these two categories, however, is a war of pre-emptive self-defense, a war that Israel may start in order to prevent a forthcoming attack by an opposing nation. According to Jewish tradition, states R. Michael Broyde, this type of war “is not considered to be war,” but is simply an extension of the law allowing self-defense against arodef (pursuer), and therefore does not need to be explicitly mentioned.[iv]However, wars that are not “based on self-defense needs,” and do not fall under the other permitted categories, are illegal in Jewish law, such that any killings that would take place during such wars would be considered murder.
Penina Wein, Kol Hamevaser
The concept of war is largely based upon the concept of רודף, as written:
“You shall not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor” (Leviticus 19:16), which also refers to 'stopping an assailant from committing murder (Sanhedrin73a).' and “If one comes to slay you, kill him first” (Sanhedrin 72a).1. Osirak, Operation Opera: and here: Mack
Opponents of the attack argued that the attack would unite the Arab world, be considered an act of war, would harm the peace agreement with Egypt,
would result in the destruction of Israel’s nuclear reactor in Dimona, encourage an arms buildup in the Arab world, and lead to a European and American embargo on Israel. WHAT REALLY HAPPENED? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dH3u79h5G7A
2. Conquest of the Land, Sefer Yehoshua: Yossi
3. Destroying Amalek: Yishai and Jordan
4. Should Israel develop nuclear weapons? Yoel and Ariel
5. King David's wives kidnapped: BONUS
WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOU ENCOUNTER AN ENEMY YOU WEREN'T PLANNING ON DURING A MISSION? LEAVE HIM? ABORT THE MISSION? KILL HIM?
Military Ethics, March 18
The LAMED HEH CONVOY:
The fate of the Lamed Heh is known today only due to the testimony of Uri Gavish, one of the three who was sent back. The Lamed Heh left Hartuv much later than they had planned, and as a result, when dawn broke they were still an hour away from Narkis and his men. Subsequent generations of Israelis were raised on the story that the soldiers encountered an Arab shepherd, not far from Tzurif. They chose not to kill him, and the shepherd hurried off to warn other Arabs. A large crowd gathered, and a day-long battle ensued. The last Haganah commando was killed at approximately 4:30 p.m.
The story has been used to demonstrate the highly moral nature of the Jewish fighters -- and alternatively, the folly of being too merciful with enemy civilians.
The trail of the Lamed Heh
The story of Gush Etzion; its massacre and its renewal.
Walk the trail of the Lamed Heh with Oren Mas, read the controversy surrounding the story with the nephew of the Lamed Heh commander, Danny Mas.
Song dedicated to the memories of the Lamed Heh Convoy:
Lyrics for the Song of the Lamed Heh
Take a peek at what some of Israeli's top soldiers are doing in this clip about Shayetet 13 - Israeli NAVY SEALS